German law increases government surveillance and hacking powers, removes protection for journalists
Berlin, June 16, 2021—The Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern after Germany’s Bundestag, or lower house of parliament, removed legal provisions that exempted journalists from surveillance during terrorism investigations. Amendments to Germany’s Federal Constitutional Protection Act — approved on June 10, 2021 — give domestic and foreign intelligence services and the federal police powers to…
Proposed ‘NGO Law’ threatens press freedom, independent reporting in Guatemala
Guatemala City, May 19, 2021 – Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei should reject a proposed law granting the government broad control over the finances and operations of non-governmental organizations, including nonprofit news outlets and press freedom groups, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On May 12, newly elected members of Guatemala’s Constitutional Court overturned a…
New Tajikistan licensing rules restrict independent reporting, increase state fees
Stockholm, May 17, 2021 – Tajik authorities should rescind new licensing regulations for independent television and radio stations and ensure that all media outlets in the country can operate freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On February 10, the Television and Radio Committee, the state-run media regulator, announced new licensing rules for privately…
Ecuadorian congress passes ‘digital violence’ bill that threatens press freedom
Miami, May 11, 2021 – Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno should require the country’s legislature to amend a recently passed bill to ensure that it does not threaten press freedom, or should veto that legislation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On May 6, the National Assembly passed the “Law to Prevent and Combat Digital…
Belarusian parliament passes raft of restrictive media regulations
New York, May 4, 2021 – The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned a set of amendments passed by the Belarusian parliament that could severely stifle press freedom in the country. On April 21, the National Assembly, the upper house of parliament, adopted amendments to the country’s Mass Media Law and to the Law on…
Digital media rules empower Indian government to censor online news
Digital news sites in India are on edge and expecting the worst after the government promulgated news rules in February, bringing them under regulation and further endangering the environment for press freedom in the country. The rules, in essence, give the government powers to censor website content, with little chance for appeal. In interviews with…
EU adopts new export control rules on surveillance technology
The European Union yesterday adopted a new regulation on exports of dual-use surveillance technology by EU-based companies. The legislation seeks to prevent human rights harm, including in countries where journalists are targeted and under surveillance because of their work. CPJ joined six other freedom of expression and human rights organizations in a statement welcoming the…
CPJ joins call to reject draft EU regulation for online terrorist content
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined dozens of civil society organizations today in urging the European Parliament to reject a draft regulation on terrorist content online when it is proposed for a vote in April. The letter, which was sent to every member of parliament, notes that the draft would allow national authorities to order…
At least 6 journalists detained in Myanmar as coup government cracks down on press
Bangkok, February 16, 2021 – Myanmar’s military government must stop detaining, harassing, and threatening journalists, and allow the media to work freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Since February 11, security forces have detained at least six journalists in the country, and the military leadership, which took power in a coup in early February, sparking…
Uzbek parliament moves to criminalize ‘dissemination of false information’
New York, December 21, 2020 – Uzbek authorities should halt attempts to criminalize sharing allegedly false information and ensure that journalists can operate freely without fear of reprisal, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On December 15, deputies of the lower chamber of Uzbekistan’s parliament, the Oliy Majlis, approved amendments to the country’s criminal…